Intuitive journeys across unknown landscapes
The term ‘wayfinding’ is used to describe the processes people go through to help them navigate new environments. It is often qualified as a problem solving process. But, successful wayfinding solutions should make navigation both a comfortable and intuitive process.
With all journeys beyond a known environment, there are a series of decisions to be made:
- Firstly is the consideration to make the actual journey – driven by pleasure, necessity or even both.
- The second is to qualify how you are going to get there – car, bus, taxi, walk.
- The third is which route you will take – road, rail, path or a combination.
The subsequent decisions are based on a variety of factors relating to the person making the journey – the environment they journey through and the information they have. All wayfinding decisions are influenced by previous decisions. So what appears to be a simple process is complex and interrelated.
This actions are all engaged before we have even tried to navigate digital mapping, signage, language etc etc… To be discussed in detail in a future journal post.
Even with all this in place one factor often forgotten by sign designers and wayfinding companies is the emotional state of the person who is actually being directed. A trip to the cinema is very different to a visit to an A&E department – both emotionally charged, but at either end of the emotional spectrum. And the complexity of the task – one with a simple focus on collecting a ticket, snacks and locating a seat in ‘screen two’, whilst the other parking, paying for parking and locating the entrance to the A&E department by foot whilst not passing out or drawing attention to your predicament. Try navigating either if the signage isn’t in your native language, or you are agoraphobic?
Contemporary wayfinding will address the new ‘access’ regulations, be legible in colours of high contrast but will it consider mental health in any way and if so how?
… … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … …
© Carl Middleton – August 2025.
Its’s not just about good typography – effective design raises wider questions about environment, user and message.
… … …
#wayfinding #wayfindingstrategy #wayfindingsomerset #carlmiddleton #studiob
Wayfinding companies in Taunton
Wayfinding Somerset
Wayfinding strategies
NHS Hospital Wayfinding strategy
Way finding and signage in taunton